Cameron terminates Labour's poll lead and claims Arnie's support

David Cameron today capped his most successful week as leader by claiming Hollywood backing for his Conservative revival.

The Tory leader spent more than a hour with the California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger discussing their plans for a 21st century brand of conservatism.

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He travelled to California with applause still ringing in his ears for his lacerating performance at Prime Minister's questions and a new poll today which showed the Conservatives have swept to a three-point lead over Labour.

The survey, which puts Labour on 38, the Tories on 41 and Liberal Democrats on 11, marks the first time Mr Cameron has taken the lead since Gordon Brown became prime minister. It will also be seen as a verdict by voters on Alistair Darling's "magpie budget" which saw the Chancellor steal many of the Tories' more popular policies.

Mr Cameron said the Ipsos/Mori poll, in the Sun, showed the momentum was now clearly with his party.

"We've just had a great conference where we set out very clear plans to increase opportunity and strengthen families.

"I think people have responded really well to the very positive proposals we've been making. Things are changing in British politics and the momentum is with us," he said.

Speaking after talks with Mr Schwarzenegger, Mr Cameron said the two men shared a "modernising" agenda, based on a strong commitment to the environment and social issues but underpinned by "traditional values".

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"We had a long discussion about the environment and all the things he's doing in California and some of the policy issues we've been facing in the UK.

"The interesting thing is we're both centre-Right politicians looking at broadening the appeal of our party and we agreed there was a lot of work we were going to do together in order to modernise the centre-Right approach.

"We're looking at co-operation between centre-Right politicians with a similar vision - trying to extend the appeal of our parties and campaign on social issues and environmental issues as well as some of the traditional themes."

Mr Cameron, who travelled to Los Angeles this morning, said they also talked about gun crime and gang culture.

In Los Angeles he was to meet Antonio Villaraigosa, the Democrat mayor of the city, to discuss combating inner city violence. The three-day trip to California was hastily arranged by the leader's office after Mr Brown decided against a snap election.

Aides say Mr Cameron wants to use the visit to underline his claim that he, rather than Gordon Brown, understands the needs of modern Britain. "There are very positive aspects to the associations we will get out of this trip," said one of the travelling party.

In a speech to the Google Zeitgeist Conference in Silicon Valley, Mr Cameron promised a "post-bureaucratic" era of personal freedom and responsibility.

He also said that a future Conservative government would list online every expenditure more than £25,000 so taxpayers could hold it to account.

"I want transparency about government spending to promote greater responsibility, so citizens take on a more active role, deciding how their money is spent. In the bureaucratic era, government tells you what you need, spends your money, and if you don't like it you can vote for a new government once every few years," he said.

He added: "In the post-bureaucratic era, you shouldn't just be telling government what you want. You should be choosing what you want, and acting to get what you want, so your money is spent on your priorities, all the time."

Mr Cameron's tour of California is expected to be followed by an official visit to Washington for a meeting with President George Bush. The trip, which should take place before Christmas, is being seen as chance to mend relations between the Conservatives and the Republican administration.

Mr Cameron's predecessor Michael Howard angered the White House by distancing himself from the Iraq war. But Mr Bush is understood to be ready to provide Mr Cameron with a formal White House meeting.